You're likely thinking of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Strip https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Strip There are "springloaded" folder tabs as of Ma

You're likely thinking of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Strip https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Strip There are "springloaded" folder tabs as of Mac OS 8.0, originally planned as a Copland feature, triggered by dragging any Finder window into the bottom edge of the screen. As of Mac OS 8.5 it is also possible to drag the application menu out into a floating palette that can be rearranged by clicking its zoom box while holding various modifier keys. One of the combinations bears a striking resemblance to the Windows 95 taskbar :) Here's a photo of me using all three at once on my TAM if it helps jog your memory: https://i.imgur.com/sVVbMun.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sVVbMun.jpg edit: Almost forgot about At Ease which I personally never really used but does fit your description of having app buttons and being purple: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Ease https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Ease